Come and See Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri

Union Station is a fully restored 1914 landmark, which originally featured 900 rooms. Today, Union Station is open 6 a.m. to midnight daily and you can still take a ride on the train that still runs through the station. This 850,000 square foot attraction is one of Amtrak's busiest stops.

Union Station offers a wide variety of entertainment for everyone. A rail exhibit contains vintage rail cars for your viewing. There is also an interactive science center, a theater district featuring giant-screen movies and live theater, fine restaurants, unique shops and also spaces for meetings and events.

One of the main attractions is Science City, which has over 50 interactive areas. Some of these areas include:

Crime Lab - Provides the latest forensic investigation equipment and techniques.
Severe Weather Center - Monitors severe weather in the area.
Model Train - Explore a miniature world of a train layout.
Prehistoric Dig - Allows you to dig for prehistoric bones.
Echo Cave - Allows you to explore habitat of bats as you hear your echo and study limestone cave formations.
Nature Center - Gives you a chance to observe diversity of the animal kingdom.

While visiting Union Station, you can also take a tour of the Kansas City Museum. Inside a fabulous mansion, you will find history displays, a 50-seat planetarium and natural history dioramas. Top off your visit to the museum with a tasty treat from the 1910 soda fountain, which serves up soda, ice cream cones, sundaes and shakes. The Kansas City Museum is an experience for all ages.

For some enjoyable dining, there is Union Cafe, Harvey House Diner, Pierpont's and Times Square Concessionaire. After eating some great food, you can do some shopping at The Best of Kansas City, The Science City Store, The Station Master or the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

Tourist from all over the world come to the Grand Hall to admire the 95 foot ceiling, three 3,500 pound chandeliers and a six-foot wide clock. Union Station is also know for the bullet holes from the 1933 Union Station Massacre. Two, possibly three gunmen opened fire on officers emerging from the station. Four law officers were killed along with the prisoner in their custody, convicted murderer Frank Nash.

Union Station is a great place to learn history and get educational information for today's world. It is something for the entire family to come and enjoy. They provide overnight camp-ins, and have programs designed for pre-k all the way through 12th grade. The perfect place to take a field trip, or a family outing.